Decision details

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme to date and its benefits to children, young people, and families in North Northamptonshire.

b)    Approved the procurement of a supplier to coordinate the delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme in North Northamptonshire in partnership with the Council from March 2023 in line with the Contract Procedure Rules.

c)    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education & Skills in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Services (DCS) to take any further decisions and actions required to conclude this procurement and award the contract.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·     Delivering the Holiday Activities and Food Programme makes best use of resources from central government

·     The programme will deliver benefits to vulnerable children, young people, and their families

·     Commissioning a provider to coordinate the programme alongside the council will allow the Council to benefit from the expertise and experience of the successful provider in delivering similar programmes and working with Community and Voluntary Sector organisations that deliver holiday activity programmes whilst also retaining an element of input and control of the programme

Alternative Options Considered –

·      Do nothing and not deliver a Holiday Activities and Food Programme

·      Coordinate the Holiday and Activities and Food Programme directly using in-house resources

·      Commission a provider to deliver the programme independently with minimal council input

·      Commission a service for North and West Northamptonshire with a shared contract and service specification